MY EXPERIENCE TO THE HOLY PLACE SRINGERI

“ MY EXPERIENCE TO THE HOLY PLACE SRINGERI “
பி JANAKIRAMAN K. IYER



"The Yogi who is established in his Self and who is even minded all the time and at all the places develops the equal vision where by he sees the Self in all beings and all beings in the Self." Baghavath Geethai - [Chapter 6 Verse 29]

" RishyasrngapurAdheesham tungAteeranivAsinamBhaktAmodapradamvande vidyAtheerthamaham gurum "

" Bharathi karunapathram Bharathi padabhushanam Bharati padamarudam Bharathitheerthamashraye "

My Pranams to His Holiness Sri Sri Bharathi Theertha Swamigal. I have compiled this paper on information about the Mutt and His Holiness from various books and self experience , I here by contribute this in the lotus feet of Sri Sanidhanam
MY EXPERIENCE TO THE HOLY PLACE SRINGERI
My Pranams to His Holiness Sri Sri Bharathi Theertha Swamigal
As a sincere devotee , dedicated baktha of Sringeri Sri Sharadambal and His Holiness, i wanted to pen down the specialties of Sringeri mutt and also on visit and my experience to the holy place. Every year in the month of January my visit to Sringeri is being made made so as to start the year with His Holiness’s blessings. I am from a ritual / religious pious family from a small village called Watrap near Madurai. My family is blessed by the Gurus of Sringeri, especially His Holiness Sri Sri Abhinava Vidya Theertha Swamigal used to stay do his pooja at our family house at Tirumangalam whenever he visited that part of South Tamil Nadu.

Sringeri, 90 kms west of Chickmagalur town on the banks of river Tunga, is a city with epic associations. Sringeri is the modern rendering of Sringa Giri or the Mountain of Rishyasringa, a great rishi whose tomb is still preserved. The place is said to have been named after Rishyashringa who figures in the Ramayana as the chief priest at the great sacrifice of King Dasharadha. Widely known for the Jagadguru Shankaracharya Mata of the Adwaitha school of philosophy. Sringeri also has an ancient temple of Vidyashankara.

The temple is a fine example of artistic transition from Hoysala to Vijayanagara style. Built around 1357 A.D., the imposing granite structure encloses friezes of elephants, lions, dancers in various poses etc. and figures big and small of various Hindu gods enshrined in niches with ornamental towers. The garbha - griha has a linga called Vidyashankara installed in the memory of Guru Vidyatheertha. To the north of this temple is a more recent temple built by skilled craftsmen of the 20 the century and houses the highly venerated Sharadamba image.
HOW TO REACH SRINGERI
The mutt is in the temple town of Sringeri, on the banks of river Tunga, in the Chikmagalur district of the Karnataka state, India. The nearest city from Sringeri is Mangalore (It is about 105 kilometres from Mangalore), and can also be reached from Bangalore, K.S.R.T.C.(Karnataka State Transport Corporation) buses are available from Bangalore which takes an overnight journey to reach the holy place, once we reach in the early sun light we can enjoy the flora and fauna of the land blessed by Sri Sharadamba.
Stay & Dharshan
Sri Sannidhanam, being aware of the increasing inflow of pilgrims and devotees, has had new guest houses built and named them 'Sri Sharada Krupa' and 'Yatri Nivas'.
Sri Sannidhanam is accessible to the devotees twice a day, in the morning during the Theertha Prasadam distribution and in the evening. His Holiness receives everyone cheerfully, with a smile. He poses tender questions, listens to what they have to say and offers valuable suggestions. He accepts Bhiksha and witnesses the Pada Puja, which the devotees perform to His Guru's and to Goddess Sharada's Padukas.
In Case if further information required the following address can be contacted
The Administrator,Sringeri Mutt and its Properties,Sringeri, Chickmagalur District,KarnatakaPIN - 577139.
Phone Numbers
+91-8265-250123
+91-8265-250594
+91-8265-250192 Fax Number +91-8265-250792
(Note : +91 code prefix is required only for international calls originating out of India. 8265 is the STD prefix, required for all calls outside Sringeri).
HISTORY OF SRINGERI
According to legends, Śankara and his four disciples, accompanied by Bharati, an incarnation of Goddess Sarasvati reached Sringeri on an exceptionally hot noon, and as they proceeded to the river Tunga for their ablutions, they saw a frog struggling in the blazing sun to be delivered of its spawn. A cobra, a natural enemy of frogs, had raised its hood to provide the frog with shelter and protection from the ravages of the tropical sun. Śankara was greatly moved by the sight. If there was paradise on earth, here it was, where the lion and the lamb, the tiger and the cow, the cobra and the frog lived in mutual amity and peace. He turned round when, as she had already stipulated, Bharati, known also as Sharada, decided to stay for good at Sringeri on the banks of the sacred river Tunga.
The Sringeri mutt records its tradition from the 8th century onwards. The history of the Sringeri Mutt since the period of Sri Bharathi Tirtha (I) and Sri Vidyaranya (14th century) onwards has been extensively documented. Most of the names from the Sringeri lineage up to Vidyaranya are also found in the Sri Guru Charitra, a 15th-century Marathi work by Gangadhara Saraswathi. Sringeri mutt sources report that Śankara was born in the fourteenth year of the reign of Vikramaditya. Some believe this Vikramaditya to be the Vikramaditya II of the Western Chalukya Dynasty, which ruled from Badami in Karnataka. Others believe him to the Vikramaditya of the 1st century BC.
Sringeri on the banks of the sacred Tunga. The origin of the mutt is described in various traditional sources, including the Śankara Vijaya of Mādhava. Śankara is said to have lived here for twelve out of his short life-span of thirty-two years.
He also established a Mutt for the propagation of Advaita philosophy, and his first sishya Sri Suresvaracharya was made the head of the Mutt. From then onwards, Sringeri has become famous as a center of learning, philosophy and sublime spirituality. It is one of the holy places of India and it attracts many pilgrims.

FOUR MUTTS OF SANKARACHARYA

Adi Sankaracharya formed four mutts all over India , Based on Indian Geographic condition of 1960 miles , he divided this in to four equal parts of 490 miles and located four different mutts every where. Eastern part of India has a mutt at Puri for Rig Veda and named as Govardana Mutt, this was headed by Padmapadar. Western Part of India has a mutt at Dwaraka for Saama Veda and named as Kalika Mutt and was headed by Aacharyar Thodaka. Northern part of India has a mutt at Badri for Atharvana Veda and named Jyothi Mutt headed by Aacharyar Hasthamalaga. Sothern part of India has a mutt at Sringeri for Yajur Veda and named as Sarada Peetam and was headed by Aacharyar Sureshwaracharya
Four Deities around Sringeri
Jagadguru Adi Shankaracharya, consecrated four deities in the four corners of Sringeri. These Shrines, namely "Kalabhairava", "Vana Durga", "Kalikamba", "Kere Anjaneya" respectively are worshipped with great reverence. The deities of these temples have protected Sringeri and the Peetham from various invasions, as can be clearly seen in the historical records of the Peetham
Sri Shankara consecrated the temple of Sri Kalabhairava in the east. Annually, the Kalabhairavashtami is conducted on a grand scale on Margashirsha Krishna Ashtami and a special Puja is performed by the Jagadguru.
Sri Shankara consecrated the temple of Sri Durgamba in the south. Owing to the remote location of this temple amongst the woods, the Goddess is famous as Vana Durga. When plague threatened Sringeri, Sri Sacchidananda Shiva Abhinava Nrisimha Bharati prayed to Durga and since then not a single case of plague has occurred here.
The annual Rathotsava is conducted on a grand scale on Phalguna Shuklapaksha Mrugashira nakshatra when a special Puja to the Goddess Durgamba is performed by the Jagadguru.
Sri Shankara consecrated the temple of Sri Kere Anjaneya Swami temple in the west. Deepotsavam is conducted on a Saturday in the month of Kartika Krishnapaksha on a grand scale annually.
Sri Shankara consecrated the temple of Sri Kalikamba temple in the north. The annual festival for the Goddess in conducted on a grand scale in the month of Margashirsha on the Poornima day. A special Puja is also performed by the Jagadguru.
SRI SHARADAMBA
The ancient temple of Sri Sharada, the presiding deity of Sringeri has a glorious history that begins with the setting up of the Dakshinamnaya Peetham by Sri Shankara Bhagavatpada. Originally it was an unpretentious shrine with the Murti of Sharada made of sandalwood, installed over the Sri Chakra that Sri Adi Shankara carved on a rock. Subsequently Sri Bharati Krishna Tirtha and Sri Vidyaranya had a temple built in the Kerala style, with timber and tiled roof. Sri Bharati Krishna Tirtha substituted the sandalwood idol with the present golden idol. Sri Sacchidananda Shivabhinava Nrisimha Bharati raised the present structure in granite with polished granite walling round the sanctum and Sri Chandrasekhara Bharati consecrated the new temple in May 1916. Sri Abhinava Vidyatirtha made several improvements in the temple. The Mahamandapam has huge stone pillars exquisitely carved with deities like Durga, Raja Rajeshwari, Dwarapalakas and Devis which are all sculpted according to the Shilpa Sastras practised in Tamilnadu. Sanctified by the worship of an unbroken succession of Acharyas of the highest purity, loftiest devotion and unsurpassed mantric powers, the Murti of Sri Sharada radiates grace and blessings.
In the year 1999, the present Jagadguru Shankaracharya Sri Bharati Tirtha Mahaswamigal, dedicated to Goddess Sharada a rupees one crore Golden chariot at Sringeri. On the event of golden jubilee Vardhanthi (Birthday) of the Jagadguru, golden doors were installed and inaugurated at the entrance of' the sanctum sanctorum of Sri Sharada temple. The gold covering to the door worth rupees twenty four lakh is a marvelous piece of art. The eight panels have the figures of Ashta Lakshmi inscribed on them.
Navaratri festival is celebrated on a grand scale every year for 11 days with Shathachandi Homa Poornahuti performed on the Mahanavami day. On the Chaitra Shukla Poornima day, special Puja is performed in Sri Sharada Shrine. On Vaisaka Krishna Prathipath Mahabhishekam and special pooja is done for Sri Sharadambal. On Karthika Poornima day Deepotsava is conducted in Sri Sharada Shrine. On the Magha Shukla Panchami, Lalitha Panchami is celebrated with special Puja performed to Sri Sharadamba by the Jagadguru. On the Magha Krishna Dwithiya special Puja to Sri Sharadamba is performed by the Jagadguru. On the Magha Trithiya Sri Sharadamba Rathotsava is celebrated.
VIDYASHANKARAR
The Vidyashankara Temple was built in the year 1338 A.D. It is a unique monument built entirely of stone combining both Hoysala (Chalukya) and Dravidian architectural styles. The structure stands on a high plinth and commands a magnificent view from the hills and their slopes all round. On the western side is the Garbhagriha, with Vidya Ganapati on one side and Durga on the other side of the entrance. On the other three sides of the Garbhagriha are shrines to Brahma, Vishnu and Maheshwara with their consorts. In the eastern half of the structure is a mandapa with twelve pillars, huge monoliths carrying large figures and carrying heavy projecting corbels on top. These twelve pillars are marked by the twelve signs of the zodiac in their regular order, and arranged in such a manner that the rays of the sun fall on each of them in the order of the twelve solar months. On the floor is a large circle, marked with converging lines to indicate the direction of the shadows. The central ceiling is an exquisite piece of workmanship with lotus and pecking parrots. The vimana over the Garbhagriha rises magnificiently with sikhara, mahapadama and stupi. The rest of the roof is made up of sloping channelled slab. The basement is elaborately sculpted with animals, puranic stories, Siva, Vishnu, Dasavatara, Kali, Shanmukha and so on. From the caves of the corners of the central hall chains of stone rings hang which is a common feature of the Vijayanagar period. To the student of Hindu iconography, this temple is a veritable store house of sculpture. The meditation of the Linga (Vidya Shankara Linga) in the sanctum and other Murtis will lead to Divine realization. Vidyatirtha Rathotsava is celebrated on a grand scale during kartika Shukla paksha. The festival spans for seven days from Tritiya to Navami. On the ashtami day His Holiness performs special Puja. Also the Aradhana of Sri Vidya Shankara is performed on shasti, saptami and ashtami. This temple is under the care of the Archaeological Survey of India owing to its architectural marvel.
TEACHINGS OF SRINGERI MUTT
The mutt gurus follow the philosophy of Advaita Vedanta. Following the tradition initiated by Śankara, the mutt is in charge of the Yajur Veda . The gurus of the mutt teach that all the demigods (devas), described in the Vedas and the Puranas, are mundane manifestations of the same one cosmic spirit, called Brahman.
Moreover, the innermost self of the human being is also not different from Brahman. They subscribe to the Vedic phrase " Aham Brahma Asmi ", which means: "I am the Universal spirit". The gurus Worship God for many hours every day. They practice intense penance and meditation, which they believe helps in the control of the mind. They sustain themselves on an optimum diet and minimal sleep. They meditate on the Rudraksha beads and worship Shiva Linga every day. To an Advaitin, Shiva is Vishnu and Vishnu is Siva. Both are one and the same. The Sringeri gurus advocate that an individual must not merely revere a guru and listen to his teachings, but imbibe the good habits of the guru in their own life. Some of the things advocated by the gurus are:
Satvic habits which include vegetarianism, cleanliness, discipline, etc.
Regular worship of God and development of bhakti.
Giving importance to learning and knowledge.
Good conduct, honesty, generosity, and adherence to scriptures.
Austerity and simplicity.
Love, respect, and responsibility towards one's family or community.
Destruction of pride and ego.
The material world is considered as maya, or temporary, like a dream, so they believe that one should be involved in the material world only in order to fulfill one's responsibility. Although they adhere to the teachings of Śankara, they read other secular and religious works. Within the recorded history of the last two centuries, every one of the gurus at Sringeri has been a polyglot and a scholar with knowledge of a wide range of subjects. They do not advocate religious conversion, and believe that individuals must follow the religion of their own birth properly and correctly.

Followers of the mutt
The mutt has a huge following, especially among the Vedic community. People of all castes from all over India visit and get the blessings of Sri sharadamba and the blessings of His holiness the Śankāracharya at the mutt. Succession to the Śankāracharya title is through disciplic selection by the existing Śankāracharya.
Activities of the mutt
A number of Vedic schools and temples are maintained by the mutt. Besides this, the mutt also runs a hospital and a few colleges. It has established branches in many parts of India. The Sharada Temple at Sringeri is managed by the Sringeri mutt. There is also a library in Sringeri, with rare Sanskrit volumes, which is managed by the mutt. The mutt has also played an important role in preserving the natural beauty of Sringeri.
Relationship with other institutions
The mutt has enjoyed patronage from many kings and rulers. Its sage Vidyatheertha was contemporary with the founders of Vijayanagar Empire, and the mutt was given lavish grants of land by the Vijayanagar Kings. Tipu Sultan, the famous Muslim ruler of Mysore, also respected the Sringeri Acharyas, and helped it to sustain itself.
Even in modern times the mutt has had good relations with the State and Central Governments, as it has always been politically neutral and non-controversial.
The mutt maintains good relationships with the three other mutts founded by Śankara, located in Puri, Dwaraka, and Badrinath. In the interests of preserving all the traditions derived from the Vedas, the Sringeri mutt also maintains cordial working relationships with institutions belonging to other Vedanta schools, such as the Sri Vaishnava and Madhva institutions.

The mutt continues to flourish to this day, and governs many institutions.
Guru Parampara & Head of the mutt
The head of the mutt is usually chosen as a Brahmachari, educated in the Vedas. The existing head of the mutt decides upon a worthy disciple, initiates him as a sannyāsin, and appoints him as the head. The present head of the mutt is Sri Bharati Tirtha Swaminah.
The Scriptures says that a Brahmachari must take up the study of the sastras along with his Vedadhyana. He should also study the Dharma sastra, Vyakarana, Mimamsa, Tarka, the Puranas and the biographies of great men. The thirst came to Sri Seetharama Anjaneyalu at a very early stage waiting for the right time to come to fulfil the desire. The right time came when Sri Anjenayalu came for the Dharshan of His Holiness Abhinava Vidhya theertha, when the great Acharyal visited Narasaroapet in Andhra Pradesh.His Holiness was impressed with this little boy's sanskrit Knowledge, then sri Anjaneyalu realized "here is my Guru,my lord and my saviour. Then a few months later at Ujjain (Madhya Pradesh),His Holiness condescended to teach him Tarka Sangraha. Sri Anjaneyalu accompanied the Acharyal througout his tour. When they finally reached Sringeri in 1968, Sri Mahasanidhanam arranged for advanced studies for his disciple, who fast turned into a Vedic Master. In 1974 Sri Anjaneyalu was initiated in to sanyasam.
Inspiring Life of Sri Sanidhanam
Sri Bharati Tirtha, the present Jagadguru of the Sringeri Sharada Peetham, a sanyasin of the highest paramahamsa order, is arguably the foremost scholar today of Vedanta and sastras.
In 1966, he approached the then Sringeri Jagadguru Sri Abhinava Vidyatirtha Mahaswamiji as a bachelor at the age of 15 seeking his blessings and instruction in the sastras. The Sringeri Acharya was then observing chaturmasya at Ujjain. Sitarama Anjaneyulu had come with great vairagya growing in him.
As the great Acharya was returning after bath in the river Sipra, Sitarama Anjaneyulu prostrated before him and sought his tutelage, which was granted. The very next day the Acharya started teaching him. He soon became a gem of a scholar and a dear disciple.
Within eight years he finished the study of Krishna Yajur Veda, Purva and Uttara Mimamsa, Nyaya Sastra and many other treatises and commentaries. He also became a poet in Sanskrit.
Childhood Days
Sri Sitarama Anjaneyulu’s childhood is worth recalling in the context of his spiritual background. He was born into a Smartha family bearing the name “Tangirala”, of Apasthamba sutra, Krishna Yajur sakha, Kutsasa gotra. He was born on April 11, 1951 as a result of long prayer and vrata (fast) by his father Venkateshwara Avadhani and mother Ananthalakshmamma.
Command over Languages of Sanidhanam
The mastery of His Holiness in Indian languages is well known to devotees. The Sringeri Mutt has under its preview Andhra, Tamil nadu, Karnataka and Kerala. People of these states visit him to pay their respects and are naturally drawn by his amazing versatility in the languages together with a command over the local idiom.
I have heared His Holiness clarifying queries of Bhakthas in Tamil, electrifying the devotees as they had never expected such a clear language flow from someone whose language was not Tamil and who had not been taught Tamil by anyone.
Even scholars in Hindi language and literature were fascinated with his melodious Sanskritised Hindi. All his speeches have one thing in common. They are built brick by brick on a sound proposition. The language is always within the reach of the listeners.
Scholar Par Excellence
Once, a scholar approached Him and sought clarifications regarding a particular portion in Ghana (a mode of Vedic chanting). Though not having practiced Ghana chanting, Sri Sannidhanam at once recited the same beautifully and the scholar was stunned.
On another occasion, a group of Ghanapatis came for the Darshan of Sri Sannidhanam. His Holiness was pleased to see such learned ones. When He enquired about their studies, the senior-most Ghanapatigal, informed with pride that they all had completed the entire study of Ghana and that they could recite any portion that His Holiness would require them to recite. Sri Sannidhanam was immensely happy at their confidence and asked them to recite a portion of their choice from Vedas. The scholars however insisted that Sri Sannidhanam choose the portion for their recital. With a bewitching smile, Sri Sannidhanam suggested a particular portion. To their own surprise none of those Ghanapatis could recollect and recite that particular portion. Finally, it was Sri Sannidhanam who recited the initial lines of that portion with the appropriate intonation. It was only then that the wonder-struck Ghanapatis could recollect that portion and recite it.
Sri Sannidhanam's unquestionable scriptural knowledge would be evident to anyone who has watched His Holiness during the Vidwat Sadas dedicated to Lord Ganapati, conducted every year for 10 days commencing on the fourth day of the bright fortnight of the lunar month of Bhadrapada. The Sadas is held every evening in the august presence of His Holiness. Learned scholars and philosophers, invited from all over India and Nepal, assemble in the Sadas. It is customary for each Vidwan to choose some text and analyze it in the mornings with other Vidwans and discuss it in detail in the evenings in the august presence of His Holiness. His Holiness encourages candid communication among the scholars, and intervenes when any issue remains undecided and settles the same in His characteristic style. The most impressive aspect in the Sadas is Sri Sannidhanam's off-hand quoting of Sastraic passages and His encouragement to young scholars and debutants. For the past many years, during the Chaturmasya period, His Holiness has been conducting classes in the Brahma Sutras to a select band of sincere devotees. Sri Shankara Bhagavatpada in his Mathamnaya Sashana said that any sage occupying the position of the Jagadguru of Sri Sringeri Sharada Peetham in the unbroken apostolic succession is an incarnation of himself. Sri Bharati Tirtha is a worthy example.
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